Winemakers Since 1861

Welcome to Achaia Clauss

The oldest winery in Greece.

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CHAIA CLAUSS, located on the namesake hill, was founded in 1861 by the Bavarian Gustav Clauss who came to Patras in 1854 to work at a German raisin export company. On one of his trips, he got to know the region and was impressed by its stunning scenery. He initially bought a vineyard of just 15 acres and eventually built the Winecastle, still preserved until today.

The sweet red wine that Gustav Clauss first produced in 1873 was given the name “Mavrodaphne” in honour of Daphne, his Greek beloved with the beautiful black eyes (Mavro means black in Greek), who died at a young age. Gustav Clauss is considered to be the inventor and establisher of the concept of Wine Tourism in Greece, following the visit of Austro-Hungarian Empress Sissi in 1885, in whose honour he even named a cellar (Imperial Cellar).

Taste of Tradition!

The stone buildings, the large carved oak barrels with one century-old Mavrodaphne, the traditional Cava Danielis for welcoming visitors, the new “Varelatiko” museum, but also the unique landscape with magnificent views attract thousands of visitors every year.